Overview

What is pericarditis in adults?

The pericardium is the thin, two-layered, fluid-filled sac that covers your heart's exterior. Inflammation of this sac is called pericarditis. Pericarditis generally develops suddenly and can last from a few weeks to several months. Though the illness usually improves after three months, recurrences may sometimes happen for many years. A condition called pericardial effusion exists when there is too much fluid in the space between the pericardial layers.

What are the signs and symptoms of pericarditis?

Pericarditis causes chest pain more than other symptoms. It usually feels sharp or stabbing but can also be pressing, dull, or achy.

Discomfort due to pericarditis can come on the left side of your chest or the back of your sternum. The pain may:

Spread to your neck and shoulder left or both shoulders.
It's worse when you cough, lie down, or take a deep breath.
Improve no matter your sleeping position

Other symptoms of pericarditis;

Malaise or generalized weakness or illness.
Swelling in the legs, feet, or face
Low-grade fever
A beating or racing heart characterizes palpitations of the heart.
Difficulty breathing when lying down.
Abdominal distension, frequently known as belly.

Depending on the type of pericarditis, specific symptoms arise. Some criteria are followed for the categorization of pericarditis according to the kind of occurrence of symptoms and their duration. The duration of acute pericarditis is less than four weeks. It occurs with an abrupt onset. Future episodes can also occur. It is challenging to differentiate between the discomfort caused by acute pericarditis and a heart attack.

Acute pericarditis recurs by around 4–6 weeks with recurrent pericarditis. No symptoms develop in between.

In persistent pericarditis, it takes 4 to 6 weeks, but up to three months. During this period, the symptoms continue to occur.

It usually takes more than three months to develop with chronic constrictive pericarditis.

What is causing pericarditis?

Pericarditis sometimes makes it difficult to determine what causes it. You might not find a cause. It is thus sometimes termed idiopathic pericarditis.

Causes of pericarditis

Immune response to surgery about the heart or trauma to the heart in connection with myocardial infarction. It has several other names, including Dressler syndrome, post-myocardial infarction syndrome, or post-cardiac damage syndrome.

Infection, including viral infections, among others.
Thorax or cardiac injury.
Lupus disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Other chronic diseases like cancer and kidney failure.
Some drugs, such as procainamide for abnormal heart rhythms and phenytoin (Dilantin) for seizures.

What are the diagnosis and tests for pericarditis?

Two additional major symptoms that do not indicate a heart attack are chest pains with breathing and sharp pains in your chest and the back of your shoulders that disappear when you sit up and lean forward. The physician will review any recent illnesses you have had and discuss your symptoms. They will also consider any previous heart disorders, surgeries, or other conditions that may increase your chances of acquiring pericarditis.

Doctors diagnose constrictive pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and other related complications of pericarditis through several techniques. The following tests may be required for you.

Blood test
Chest X-ray
Echocardiogram
Cardiac catheterization
MRI
CT scan
Electrocardiogram (ECG)

What is the treatment for pericarditis?

The cause and severity of the symptoms determine the treatment to be given to the patient suffering from pericarditis.

Mild pericarditis can improve if left untreated.

Treatment by Medication-

Medications are most commonly used in the treatment of pericarditis symptoms. For instance,

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs decrease both inflammation and pain. A few examples include Naproxen and ibuprofen.
Colchicine: This drug stops the recurrence of pericarditis.
Corticosteroids: These may be anti-inflammatory drugs that may be necessary when there is a more severe episode or when other remedies fail to achieve desired results.
Pain medications: for instance, aspirin is an over-the-counter medication that may be used in managing pain.
Antibiotics: if the cause of pericarditis is bacterial infection, antibiotics will be given as treatment.

Surgery for pericarditis and other procedures involve-

The fluid may need to be drained by surgery or other procedures if the fluid caused by pericarditis accumulates in the space around the heart.

Pericarditis therapies include:

Pericardiocentesis- In this therapy, the extra fluid accumulated in the pericardium is drained and removed via a sterile needle or a short tube called a catheter.
Pericardiectomy, also known as the removal of the pericardium, The pericardium may have to be entirely or partially removed. This is done in case constrictive pericarditis brings about this condition when the whole sac surrounding the heart fails to expand.

What is the way to reduce my risk?

While you cannot take steps to prevent acute pericarditis, the earlier you begin treatment, the higher the likelihood that you will complete treatment and thereby lower your risk for recurrence. Additionally, since strenuous exercise tends to exacerbate active pericarditis, you should follow your doctor's advice regarding when to resume your exercise program.

What might I experience if this illness affects me?

Once your pericarditis has healed, you should not have a problem returning to your usual activities. Wait until your provider clears you to return to heavy exercise. Your healthcare practitioner will discuss what you can expect.

Living With

What should I do for myself?

Therefore, you must continue to see your doctor and take all the drugs ordered by your doctor.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Pericarditis in Adults?

Tender Palm Hospital has the most experienced team of Cardiologists, Cardiac Surgeons, and diagnostics with the latest and International standard infection control measures in Lucknow, India. The Cardiac Science Centre team has decades of experience in successfully treating Pericarditis in Adults.